platy ben

Ok so ive just added 2 bolivian rams too my 33 Gallon and being completely new to keeping rams i have a couple of questions.

1) How do you sex bolivian rams? (sorry i but i dont have pictures at the moment for you to see)

2) As far as i have learnt, they arent as sensitive to water qualities as german blue rams, is this correct?

Thanks in advance

mathas

There are a few ways that often indicate one sex or another (extended third/fourth dorsal ray, head shape, anal fin shape, etc.), but the only truly reliable way to know, other than seeing them spawn, is by the ventrical differences.

The following image contrasts one of my males with one of my females... note the difference in the size and shape of the breeding tube between the pectoral and anal fin. The male (top pic) has a smaller, more pointed tube, and the body tapers downward slightly from the tube to the anal fin. The female (bottom) has a larger tube designed for depositing eggs, and her body tapers upwards from the tube to the anal fin.




That's what I've heard, though I've not kept GBRs to make a comparison.

platy ben

Thanks very much for the help
Now to sit and stare at them for a few hours to get a conclusion lol

Thanks again!

musicman4567

As for your second question, yes. They are much heartier than GBR's (I've had both). My Bolivians do very well, where as my GBRs quickly caught velvet and killed half my tank because I looked at them funny (not really, but that's all I can figure I did. No bad water conditions...). They are great community fish as well, as they will only fight with each other (not if they have enough territory for both. 33 should be a good size tank). Great personality fish!

PS. Great looking fish, Mathas!